Black Mouth Cur facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Black Mouth Cur

Other names	Southern Black Mouth Cur Yellow Black Mouth
Origin	Southern United States
Traits Weight Male 50 lb (23 kg) and over Female 35 lb (16 kg) and over Height Male 18 in (46 cm) and above Female 16 in (41 cm) and above Coat Short and dense. Color Red, yellow and fawn;buckskin; or brindle; with or without black muzzle or mask.
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Black Mouth Cur is a strong and smart dog breed. It comes from the Southern United States. People often use these dogs for hunting and herding cattle. They are also known as great family pets.

About the Black Mouth Cur Dog Breed

The Black Mouth Cur is a tough and muscular dog. It is great at herding animals, hunting, and doing many other jobs. Its coat can be many different colors. Most often, it is a shade of fawn, from very light to a deep reddish-brown.

Dogs that are completely white or have large white patches are not typical for this breed. However, sometimes a puppy might be born with these colors. This happens because of special genes. The United Kennel Club says that a small amount of white is allowed. This white can be on the toes, tail, nose, and chest. It should not be more than ten percent of the dog's body.

The word "cur" describes a working dog. These dogs usually have short coats and floppy ears. Black Mouth Curs are mostly herding dogs. They can hunt both large and small animals. They also make good family pets. A litter of puppies usually has 3 to 12 pups. These dogs can live for 12 to 18 years.

What Does a Black Mouth Cur Look Like?

Portrait of a Black Mouth Cur, named Diesel, showing the typical melanistic mask around the muzzle.

Black Mouth Curs have short coats. Their fur can be either rough or smooth. Sometimes, a litter of puppies can have both types of coats.

These dogs come in many colors. You can find them in all shades of red, yellow, and fawn. They can also be black, brown, buckskin (a yellowish-tan), or brindle (striped). Some have a black muzzle or mask, while others do not. A tiny bit of white is allowed. This can be under the chin, around the nose, on the neck, chest, legs, or tail tip. But the white should not cover more than ten percent of the dog's body.

Some Black Mouth Curs have lighter coat colors. You can spot these by their green, yellow, or light brown eyes. They might also have white toenails. Their fur will be red or yellow with no black hairs. These dogs never have spots, mottles, or a white collar. Dogs with albinism (no color at all) are not considered Black Mouth Curs.

Distinctive Features of the Black Mouth Cur

The muzzle of a Black Mouth Cur is square-shaped. It often has a dark mask, which is usually black. Dogs without this mask are allowed but are less common. The name 'Black Mouth' comes from the dark color around their lips. This dark color also goes inside their mouth. It can be on the roof of the mouth, gums, and cheeks, but not on the tongue.

Their ears are medium-sized and hang down. They can be dark like the muzzle or the same color as the dog's coat.

The tail of a Black Mouth Cur can be any length. It can be long, medium, or very short (bob-tailed). Some dogs are even born without a tail. Some owners choose to shorten their dog's tail.

Their feet are medium-sized, compact, and well-arched. The paw pads are large, tough, and soft. Their toes might be webbed. Some dogs have extra claws called dewclaws.

The size of an adult Black Mouth Cur can vary a lot. It depends on their specific family line. Some can weigh as little as 25 pounds. Others, used for herding or hunting hogs, can weigh over 100 pounds. Their height can also differ, with a minimum of 16 inches tall. Male dogs are usually larger than females in the same family lines.

Black Mouth Cur Temperament and Behavior

Black Mouth Curs can be wonderful family dogs. They are very social if they are trained well. This breed is "extremely smart." They need a few weeks to get to know their owner or trainer before training starts. They are sensitive dogs. You should never yell at them in anger or hit them.

These dogs make good family pets if they have enough space. They need at least an acre of yard to explore each day. A Black Mouth Cur will not be happy spending the day alone on a couch. They are very social and need a human friend. They must get several hours of exercise every day. Without enough activity, they can become anxious or sad.

The Black Mouth Cur was bred to protect its family and home. This means they are naturally protective of their territory. Most Black Mouth Curs get along well with other dogs when they are away from home. They can hunt or herd animals together. But on their own property, they might chase other dogs away. Their "turf" can be their home, land, truck, or even just being close to their favorite person.

Activities Black Mouth Curs Enjoy

The Black Mouth Cur is a very athletic dog. They are also eager to please their owners. With good guidance and training, a Black Mouth Cur can be excellent at almost any activity. They can herd animals, track or trail game, and pull weights. They can also run in racing events. Some even work as Search and Rescue dogs. They are smart, athletic, and love to make their owners happy.

History of the Black Mouth Cur Breed

Blackmouth Cur, Tracker, leaning against a house.

The first Black Mouth Curs were officially registered in April 1964. These were the Ladner Black Mouth Curs. They were registered with the National Kennel Club. Mr. L.H. Ladner had many detailed records of his family's breeding. Because of this, the NKC recognized his dogs as a true breed.

The Texas Black Mouth Cur comes from a well-known line of curs. Their history is written in the book Big Thicket Legacy. The Southern Black Mouth Cur is thought to have started in Alabama. However, you can also find them in Florida and Tennessee.

The Howard Line of Southern Black Mouth Curs was the first to be registered. This happened at the courthouse near Howardtown, Alabama. This town is about 40 miles (64 km) north of Mobile and near Tibbie. This registration happened in the early 1940s. But these dogs had been bred by the Howard family for over 100 years before that. They were used by pioneer families for many tasks. They would hunt, protect the home, and help gather cattle and pigs for slaughter time.

Many breeders in the South still work to keep and improve the Southern Black Mouth Cur. Thanks to their efforts, the United Kennel Club later recognized the breed. Some of the first dogs came from the Howard family. Mr. J.D. Howard was a descendant of Howardtown and continued the family's long tradition. His family member, Mr. Steve Howard, is now continuing this work. He is still actively improving and breeding the Southern Black Mouth Cur.